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Apr 4, 2018 | 02:59 PM

#11

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,253

Likes: 11,374

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by lh4x4

Both the 5 and 6 speed transmissions are direct drive which means in high gear one turn input results in one turn output. For some reason many think that the 6 speed is an overdrive trans and it is not.

True..... but.....

My '03 5-speed has a final drive of 32/70, and in 2007 (I believe) HD went to a 32/66 final drive for EPA reasons...

My '03 5-speed also has a primary ratio of 36/25, and my '16 6-speed has a primary ratio of 34/46...

All this makes the final drive ratio in each gear different.... So they do run at different rpms, for a given speed/gear...

Here is a comparison of the final drive ratios between the two bikes..

..........2003 FLSTCI-5sp...............2016 FLHTCU 6sp
1st........10.110...............................9. 593
2nd.........6.958................................6 .65
3rd......... 4.953................................4.938
4th..........3.862................................ 4.0
5th..........3.150................................ 3.407
6th...........N/A..................................2.875

And as a practical matter, the '03 cruising RPM in 5th, versus the '16 cruising RPM in 6th, will frequently cause me to try to shift up another gear at freeway speeds when I go from riding the '16 to the '03......

Last edited by hattitude; Apr 4, 2018 at 03:01 PM.

Apr 9, 2018 | 11:13 PM

#12

dirtdreamer50

Thread Starter

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 4,046

Likes: 398

From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx

Thought I had a Softail lined up, but found a yami FJR1300AE at half the price, and money being money, looks like the 5 speed Sport Touring mount will be the one coming home.

Thanks all for the info. Will still keep eyes open for a great priced Heritage/Deluxe/Slim, down the road. tp dd50